Berkshire Mountain Distillers was founded in 2007 and has been producing a large variety of gins, vodkas, rums and other spirits ever since. As many craft distilleries have done across the United States, BMD have looked to the markets and resources around them to help guide their creative process. The New England Corn Whiskey is made from area farms within miles of the distillery, aged using cherry wood and white oak. We note with interest the term “aged over” as opposed to “aged in” and wonder if barrels are used in the aging of this spirit.
Liberty Pole Corn Whiskey
Corn Whiskey is not an offering usually seen by name on store shelves, as much of the corn-based whiskey is bourbon. But corn whiskey as a category is a little different than bourbon per the US federal regulations. Corn whiskey has to be at least 80% corn and can be stored in either new or used oak barrels. The Liberty Pole Corn Whiskey is is fermented with an American ale yeast and aged for 18-24 months in medium-toasted oak quarter casks formerly housing Liberty Pole’s own bourbon and rye. The Bloody Butcher Corn used as the base is a heirloom grain from southwest Pennsylvania, similar to the kind of corn grown there during the late 18th century Whiskey Rebellion.
Balcones Baby Blue
In less than 10 years since opening in 2009, Balcones has emerged rapidly on the whisky scene, named for the Balcones Fault that runs near Waco. Awarded the best American craft whisky distillery in 2016, the distillery sought to make a uniquely Texan expression of whisky in copper pot stills and has earned many industry awards. TheĀ Balcones Baby Blue is their flagship, derived from the blue corn native to the state. Balcones and founder Chip Tate parted ways in 2014 amid great contention, yet the creativity and commitment of the distillery appears undiminished as their offerings expand.